Bomb Calorimeter

Introduction:

A bomb calorimeter is a type of calorimeter that is used to accurately measure the change in energy that occurs during a reaction. The modern Bomb calorimeter is a development of Berthelot’s original calorimeter, which was first used in the 1800s. The modern bomb calorimeter is constructed of corrosion-resistant steel, in which the Bomb Calorimeter combination is used to measure heat.

The bomb calorimeter is an instrument that is used to measure the heat of reaction at a fixed volume, as well as the heat that is measured, which is referred to as the change in internal energy (E). It is possible to measure the heat changes that occur during a reaction at a fixed pressure or volume in chemistry.

Working 

This type of constant volume calorimeter is used to measure the combustion heat of oxygen-burnable samples, and it is also known as a bomb calorimeter. Every bomb calorimeter requires the use of four critical components.

The bomb calorimeter is a laboratory instrument that is used to measure the amount of combustion heat or heat power produced by a sample when excessive oxygen combustion takes place. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of using the bomb calorimeter on the ability of physics students to comprehend and process scientific information. Influences include the effectiveness of using the devices and learning how to develop the abilities of students to use the scientific method before and after they use the materials, among other things.

It is only necessary to record any changes in temperature to determine the heat generated by a process if the heat of the capacity calorimeter Ccal of to the calorimeter is known. Calorimetry is a technique that is widely used in modern laboratories.

Construction of Bomb Calorimeter

In order to determine the calorific values of solid and liquid fuels, the bomb calorimeter is employed. It is made up of a powerful steel shell, which is known as a bomb.

It is made up of a base that holds the platinum crucible and is screwed into the body of the bomb, as well as other components. The top of the bomb is equipped with an oxygen supply connection as well as a release valve for the product. For the test, one gram of powdered sample coal is used, and the calorimeter is filled with 2000cm3 of water to simulate the combustion process. Using the platinum crucible, the sample is placed in the reaction chamber. Iron fuse wire, which is wrapped around a sample of coal and connected to the lower end of the two electrodes, serves as a grounding electrode. The electrodes extend through the bomb’s base and connect the fuse wire to an electric circuit, completing the circuit. By closing the electric circuit, it is possible to ignite the coal.

The bomb is placed inside a copper vessel that is filled with drinking water. A stirring device is provided for the purpose of agitating the water within the calorimeter. It is necessary to place the calorimeter containing the bomb in another container that will act as a heat insulator. A thermometer is used to determine the temperature of the water in the calorimeter..

After attaching the oxygen cylinder to the bomb, the oxygen is admitted to the bomb through the value until the pressure gauge in the cylinder indicates a pressure of 25 atmospheres. Fuse wire current is used to ignite the fuel, which is passed through it. The temperature of both begins to rise, and the thermometer readings are taken at one-minute intervals for ten minutes after the maximum temperature is reached, and then at 10-minute intervals for ten minutes after the maximum temperature is reached. Following that, the temperature begins to slowly decrease. Following a period of steady temperature decline, readings are taken at regular intervals for an additional five minutes, at which point the process is repeated.

The heat produced by the combustion of coal plus the heat produced by the combustion of fuse wire equals the heat produced by the water and calorimeter.

Uses of Bomb Calorimeter

When a given quantity of biomass sample combustion is performed, a bomb calorimeter is used to determine the heat emitted from the combustion and to calculate the high-temperature-velocity (HHV) of the biomass fuel. In order to fit the sample fuel into the capsule for bomb combustion, approximately one gramme of sample fuel is ground and diluted after each test. By combusting the fuel, the heat emitted from the bomb raises the temperature of the water surrounding the bomb. In order to determine the total heat produced by the fuel, it is necessary to raise the temperature and increase the real mass of the fuel.

Calorimeters are useful in a variety of industries and academic settings, and an industrial pilot plant may use a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) to assess a shift in the formula of a substance and how it impacts the formula itself. In food testing laboratories, oxygen bomb calorimeters are useful for calculating the amount of heat (calories) contained in a food sample.

Conclusion:

In chemistry, a bomb calorimeter is a constant-volume calorimeter that is used to measure the heat of combustion produced by a specific reaction. Bomb calorimeters must be able to withstand the high pressure that builds up inside the calorimeter while the reaction is being monitored. It is necessary to use electrical energy to ignite the fuel; as the fuel burns, it will heat up the surrounding air, which will expand and escape through a tube that runs through the calorimeter and out of the room where it was created. When air is forced out of the copper tube, it heats the water outside the tube as it escapes through the opening. When the temperature of the water fluctuates, it is possible to calculate the calorie content of the fuel.